A
product of the Cambrian explosion, the suborder Olenellina is morphologically
diverse and constitutes a major suborder within the Order Redlichiida.
There are more than 50 genera and subgenera that are an important
basis for stratigraphic subdivision in Lower Cambrian rocks. Importantly,
members of Olenellina rank among the earliest trilobites in Cambrian
statigraphy, dating to about 560 million years ago. Morphologically
primitive, its evolutionary origin from Precambrian, segmented worms
(if you subscribe to this hypothesis) is evident.

Here we have
Olenellus sp. It comes from the Lower Cambrian, Eager formation
near Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada. It has not yet been described.

There is both
part and matching counterpart. The trilobite has a dark and glossy
exoskeloton and is exquisitely preserved.